Javed Chaudhry signs off from Express News after 18 years on ‘Kal Tak’

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last month |  JP Staff Report

Veteran anchor Javed Chaudhry bid farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, leaving viewers emotional as he reflected on his journey and uncertain next steps.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Veteran journalist and talk show host Javed Chaudhry has signed off from his long-running program Kal Tak on Express News Television, marking the end of an 18-year journey that made him one of Pakistan’s most recognized media voices.

During his farewell broadcast on Thursday, Chaudhry appeared emotional as he addressed his viewers one last time. “Today is my last show. For 18 years, we have had this association. There were ups and downs, but those are things past,” he said. “I apologize if I did anything wrong. I thank all my colleagues who lent their support.”

Expressing uncertainty about his plans, the senior journalist shared that he has not yet decided on his next move. “I will decide in the next 10 to 15 days whether to do another show, write columns, or perhaps start a new career. If this happens, you will come to know about it — if it doesn’t, then consider this voice of mine the last.”

Chaudhry’s departure comes after nearly two decades with Express News, where Kal Tak became one of Pakistan’s most-watched current affairs programs, known for its hard-hitting interviews and incisive political commentary.

According to journalist Zahid Gishkori, Chaudhry told colleagues that he was informed by the management that his “journey ends with Express TV from now.” The reason for the decision was reportedly not disclosed. Neither the management told the reason nor I asked it. I decided to move on,” Gishkori quoted him as saying.

Javed Chaudhry began his journalism career in the early 1990s and earned prominence through his widely read Urdu columns and later his television work. His exit from Kal Tak marks the end of an era in Pakistan’s broadcast journalism landscape, where his distinct voice and analytical style became synonymous with political talk shows.